A few years back when part of Toll Road washed out, Chestnuthill Township temporarily closed the road to through traffic, hoping to one day repair the road.

Over the past few years it has become obvious to the township that repairing the road would be a major expense that the township is not willing to undertake.

When asked about potentially repairing of the road last year township manager, David Albright pointed out that any repair would require the road to be redesigned due to the topography of the area and that the poor original design and construction of the road was what led to the current problems.

Tuesday evening the township supervisors agreed that they would budget the cost of permanently closing Toll Road in the 2018 and possibly the 2019 budget as well.

“There is a significant cost associated with the permanent closing of the road,” Albright said. “We may have to budget for it over two years.”

In other road department business, the township awarded its supplemental snowplowing contracts to Frantz Landscape for an 8-ton, single-axle with spreader with driver for $135 per hour and for a 1-ton truck with plow and driver for $98 per hour. Larry Smith was awarded the contract for two 19,500 GVW dumptrucks with plows and spreaders and drivers for $120 per hour.

In making his motion to award the contracts, Supervisor Harry Miller said that if necessary, the roadmaster could hire additional trucks and manpower provided that the rates remain the same as the contracted rates.

The road department is also purchasing a truck-lift. The purchase was awarded to Napa Auto Parts. The lift is an 18,000-pound, two-position lift, under 154 feet tall, and the purchase price of $15,850 includes installation.

The cost of the lift was included in the 2017 budget and the purchase came in under the budgeted amount.

The township’s historical society will be receiving the funds from Monroe County Hotel Tax in the amount of $10,000 per year for three years. The funds are being used to continue the restoration of the Merwinsburg Hotel.

The Dave Fleetwood Memorial 5K Walk/Run held on Oct. 1 was a success, raising over $10,000 for the Fleetwood Scholarship.

Upcoming events in the township’s parks include a scarecrow and pet parade on Oct. 28, trick or treating on Oct. 31, a craft and gift fair on Nov. 4, and a bus trip to Longwood Gardens on Dec. 9.